Proverbs 25

NEW JERUSALEM	DOUAI-RHEIMS
1 Here are some more of Solomon's proverbs, transcribed at the court of Hezekiah king of Judah:	1 These are also parables of Solomon, which the men of Ezechias king of Juda copied out.
2 To conceal a matter, this is the glory of God, to sift it thoroughly, the glory of kings.	2 It is the glory of God to conceal the word, and the glory of kings to search out the speech.
3 The heavens for height and the earth for depth, unfathomable, as are the hearts of kings.	3 The heaven above, and the earth beneath, and the heart of kings is unsearchable.
4 From silver remove the dross and it emerges wholly purified;	4 Take away the rust from silver, and there shall come forth a most pure vessel:
5 from the king's presence remove the wicked and on uprightness his throne is founded.	5 Take away wickedness from the face of the king, and his throne shall be established with justice.
6 In the presence of the king do not give yourself airs, do not take a place among the great;	6 Appear not glorious before the king, and stand not in the place of great men.
7 better to be invited, 'Come up here', than be humiliated in the presence of the prince.	7 For it is better that it should be said to thee: Come up hither; than that thou shouldst be humbled before the prince.
8 What your eyes have witnessed do not produce too quickly at the trial, for what are you to do at theend should your neighbour confute you?	8 The things which thy eyes have seen, utter not hastily in a quarrel: lest afterward thou mayst not be able to make amends, when thou hast dishonoured thy friend.
9 Have the quarrel out with your neighbour. but do not disclose another's secret,	9 Treat thy cause with thy friend, and discover not the secret to a stranger:
10 for fear your listener put you to shame, and the loss of repute be irremediable.	10 Lest he insult over thee, when he hath heard it, and cease not to upbraid thee. Grace and friendship deliver a man: keep these for thyself, lest thou fall under reproach.
11 Like apples of gold inlaid with silver is a word that is aptly spoken.	11 To speak a word in due time, is like apples of gold on beds of silver.
12 A golden ring, an ornament of finest gold, is a wise rebuke to an attentive ear.	12 As an earring of gold and a bright pearl, so is he that reproveth the wise, and the obedient ear.
13 The coolness of snow in harvest time, such is a trustworthy messenger to those who send him: herevives the soul of his master.	13 As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to him that sent him, for he refresheth his soul.
14 Clouds and wind, but no rain: such is anyone whose promises are princely but never kept.	14 As clouds, and wind, when no rain followeth, so is the man that boasteth, and doth not fulfil his promises.
15 With patience a judge may be cajoled: a soft tongue breaks bones.	15 By patience a prince shall be appeased, and a soft tongue shall break hardness.
16 Eat to your satisfaction what honey you may find, but not to excess or you wil bring it up again.	16 Thou hast found honey, eat what is sufficient for thee, lest being glutted therewith thou vomit it up.
17 Do not set foot too often in your neighbour's house, for fear the neighbour tire of you and come tohate you.	17 Withdraw thy foot from the house of thy neighbour, lest having his fill he hate thee.
18 A mace, a sword, a piercing arrow, such is anyone who bears false witness against a companion.	18 A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour, is like a dart and a sword and a sharp arrow.
19 Decaying tooth, lame foot, such is the fickle when trusted in time of trouble:	19 To trust to an unfaithful man in the time of trouble, is like a rotten tooth, and weary foot,
20 as well take off your coat in bitter weather. You are pouring vinegar on a wound when you sing songsto a sorrowing heart.	20 And one that looseth his garment in cold weather. As vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to a very evil heart. As a moth doth by a garment, and a worm by the wood: so the sadness of a man consumeth the heart.
21 If your enemy is hungry, give him something to eat; if thirsty, something to drink.	21 If thy enemy be hungry, give him to eat: if he thirst, give him water to drink:
22 By this you will be heaping red-hot coals on his head, and Yahweh wil reward you.	22 For thou shalt heap hot coals upon his head, and the Lord will reward thee.
23 The north wind begets the rain, and a backbiting tongue, black looks.	23 The north wind driveth away rain, as doth a sad countenance a backbiting tongue.
24 Better the corner of a roof to live on than a house shared with a quarrelsome woman.	24 It is better to sit m a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman, and in a common house.
25 Cold water to a thirsty throat; such is good news from a distant land.	25 As cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good tidings from a far country.
26 A churned -- up spring, a fountain fouled; such is the upright person trembling before the wicked.	26 A just man falling down before the wicked, is as a fountain troubled with the foot, and a corrupted spring.
27 It is not good to eat too much honey, nor to seek for glory on top of glory.	27 As it is not good for a man to eat much honey, so he that is a searcher of majesty, shall be overwhelmed by glory.
28 An open town, and without defences: such is anyone who lacks self-control.	28 As a city that lieth open and is not compassed with walls, so is a man that cannot refrain his own spirit in speaking.